“It has been commonly observed, and pertinently enough, that the woman was not made from the superior part of man, that she might be thought to be above him, and have power over him; nor from any inferior part, as being below him, and to be trampled on by him; but out of his side, and from one of his ribs, that she might appear to be equal to him; and from a part near his heart, and under his arms, to show that she should be affectionately loved by him, and be always under his care and protection.” (Matthew Henry).
As articulated from this famous quote, Eve’s creation stands as a profound testimony to God’s divine intention for companionship, partnership, and love between a man and a woman. The passage in Genesis 2:21-22 states:
“So the Lord God caused the man to fall into a deep sleep; and while he was sleeping, he took one of the man’s ribs and then closed up the place with flesh. Then the Lord God made a woman from the rib he had taken out of the man, and he brought her to the man.” (Genesis 2:21-22, NIV)
A Companion, Not a Competitor
From the very moment of her creation, woman was fashioned to be a companion, not a competitor. Eve was not taken from Adam’s head to rule over him, nor from his feet to be subjugated by him, but from his side—signifying equality, love, and mutual respect. She was positioned near his heart, symbolizing deep affection, and under his arm, signifying protection and care. This divine order of creation presents a model of relationship that mirrors the loving union between Christ and the Church “Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her.” (Ephesians 5:25)
Built for Partnership and Strength
The Hebrew word used for the creation of woman is banah, meaning “to build.” This implies that she was intricately and purposefully designed. She was not simply formed from the dust like Adam, but was carefully “built” from his own flesh and bones. This detail emphasizes the special care God took in shaping the woman—not as an afterthought but as an essential part of His creation.
Proverbs 14:1 reminds us: “The wise woman builds her house, but with her own hands the foolish one tears hers down.” Women play a foundational role in shaping families and societies. They are given the unique ability to nurture, edify, and cultivate the environments they inhabit.
The Model of Christ and the Church
Ephesians 5:25-28 draws a parallel between marriage and Christ’s love for the Church:
“Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word… In this same way, husbands ought to love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself.”
Just as Christ cherishes and sacrifices for His Church, so too are men called to love, honour, and protect their wives. The biblical model is not one of dominance or oppression but of sacrificial love and partnership.
Walking Together in Grace
The relationship between man and woman is one of complementarity, mutual love, and shared responsibility. Neither is superior to the other; both are called to walk alongside one another in grace and unity. Galatians 3:28 affirms this truth: “There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.”
As believers, we are reminded that in God’s kingdom, relationships are built on love, respect, and service. May we strive to embody these principles in our marriages, friendships, and communities, always remembering that we were created to walk alongside one another in Christ.
“If I belittle those whom I am called to serve, talk of their weak points in contrast perhaps with what I think of as my strong points; if I adopt a superior attitude, forgetting “Who made thee to differ? And, what hast thou that thou hast not received?” then I know nothing of Calvary love”. Amy Carmichael
